Kneaded to Death by Winne Archer
is the first book in A Bread Shop Mystery series. Ivy Culpepper has returned home to Santa
Sofia, California after the unexpected death of her mother, Anna. She was killed in a hit-and-run accident in
the high school parking lot, and the killer has yet to be apprehended. Ivy’s grief has only been soothed by the
bread from Olaya Solis’ bakery, Yeast of Eden.
When Olaya offers a breadmaking class, Ivy is quick to sign up. Ivy is hoping it will help provide her with
inspiration for her photographs and photography blog. She has not been able to get inspired since
the death of her mother. Ivy and six
other students are in the class. Just
before the break, Jackie Makers, a fellow student, must take a call. They are getting ready to start up again, but
Jackie has yet to return. The group hears
raised voices outside, and they head outside to find out what is
happening. Ivy sees her old high school
beau, Miguel Baptista arguing with Randy Russell, co-owner of the local antique
mall. Miguel is attempting to calm the
man down. When Randy is finally subdued,
the group notices Jackie sitting in her car.
It looks like Jackie will not be finishing the class. When it is discovered that Jackie was
poisoned, Olaya ends up at the top of the suspect list. Ivy knows that Olaya would not harm a soul,
and starts asking questions around town.
Ivy gets pulled into a controversy on historic Maple Avenue where Jackie
owned a beautiful house (that Ivy would love to own). Santa Sofia is not the
quiet town Ivy left when she went off to college. Will Ivy be able to capture the killer or
will she end up getting burned?

I found Kneaded to Death to be
nicely written and easy to read. I liked
the characters (especially Mrs. Branford) and the hint of magic. The description of Maple Avenue was
delightful. There are some beautiful
historic homes on the street (especially Mrs. Branford’s Victorian). I thought the mystery was well crafted, and
it kept my interest (hooray). The author
provided some nice clues that will help the reader identify the killer (you must
pay very careful attention). I give
Kneaded to Death 4 out of 5 stars (are you shocked)! My one complaint is Ivy’s obsession with
Miguel Baptista. They dated in high
school, but Ivy has never gotten over him (in eighteen years and now we understand
why she is divorced). I thought her ogling
of Miguel to be a little over-the-top (once would have been fine). I hope that Ivy’s grief is lessened in the
next book. It is quite prevalent in
Kneaded to Death which is understandable.
There is another subplot in Kneaded to Death that is equally intriguing. There is not, though, too much going on in
the book. I could keep track of the
storylines and the characters. I thought
Kneaded to Death was a good first cozy mystery.
The series has potential, and I am looking forward to the next book in A
Bread Shop Mystery series.

I hope you have a delightful and fun filled Tuesday. I have review work to do today (posting reviews and sending the links to the publishers). I am currently reading Bel of the Brawl by Maggie McConnon. I will see you tomorrow when I review another new novel. Take care and Happy Reading!

War, Spies and Bobby Sox by Libby Fischer Hellman contains three stories about life in America during World War
II. The Incidental Spy is the first
story (and the longest). Lena Bentheim
is in love with Josef in Berlin, Germany in 1935. But Lena is only sixteen years old and her
parents believe she would be better off in America. Lena is send to Chicago, Illinois to live
with her cousin (who is like an aunt to her) Ursula. There she learns English and secretarial
skills. Lena gets a job with the physics
department at the University of Chicago.
She meets and falls in love with Karl Stern who becomes involved in the
nuclear weapons project. Life soon takes
a dangerous turn for Lena, and she must decide where her loyalties lay. P.O.W. is the second story and revolves
around Mary Catherine O’Rourke who lives on her family farm outside
Chicago. The local German POWs are
brought to the farm to help with the apple harvest. Reinhard Deschler catches Mary Catherine’s
eye. Nothing but trouble can
follow. The final story is The Day
Miriam Hirsch Disappeared. The story
tells of what happens to a beautiful Yiddish actress in Chicago’s Lawndale
community.

War, Spies and Bobby Sox is
well-written and has a good pace. I
found the first two stories to be engaging (they held my attention). The scientific “stuff” in The Incidental Spy
was not for me (regarding the discovery of nuclear weapons), but you can do
what I did and skim over it. I do,
though, wish the author had focused on stories that showcased women’s strengths
and their accomplishments during World War II (the first one does in the end). Instead, we get to see how women lead with their
heart instead of their mind (Mary Catherine is a woman who makes many wrong
choices). I give War, Spies and Bobby Sox 4 out of 5 stars. It is nice to see
a different aspect of World War II. Many
people do not know that we had POW camps (German and Italian) in the United
States and the soldiers worked on local farms.
The author did a very good job with the history from that time-period. War, Spies and Bobby Sox are stories that
many readers will enjoy reading. I
believe I am just burned out on stories from this era.

Sunday, February 26, 2017

I hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday. I am still suffering from my cold. I suffer from asthma and allergies which means I get sick easily. The colds tend to migrate to my chest and linger (lucky me). One year I had bronchitis four times (it is like trying to breathe with an elephant on your chest). What do you have planned for today?

Annie’s Recipe by Lisa Jones
Baker is the second book in the Hope Chest of Dreams series. Annie Mast and Levi Miller were childhood
best friends. Then one day Levi was
gone. Levi’s father, John, had broken
the rules of the Ordnung and was shunned.
John quickly packed up his family and moved away. Ten
years later, Annie is at the wedding of Katie and Jeremiah when she
notices an Englischer in the crowd. Upon
closer inspection, she notices that it is Levi.
They agree to meet at their special place at Pebble Creek. When they meet, it is like they have never
been apart. Over the next few days, the
two meet whenever Annie can get away.
Levi wants to spend the rest of his life with Annie, but, there is a big
obstacle in the way of their happiness.
Levi does not feel he can return to Arthur, Illinois and live. He feels he will always be known as the son
of the shunned man. Levi knows that
Annie would not be happy in the Englisch world and asks if she would be willing
to compromise. Annie’s heart, though, is
in the Amish world where she grew up.
Annie believes that God can work miracles and, if she is meant to be
with Levi, God will find a way. Is there
a happily ever after in the future for Levi and Annie?

Annie’s Recipe is nicely written
and is easy to read. It can be finished in just a couple of hours. The book reminds me
of a sappy romance novel with Christian/Amish faith and theology tossed in. Annie’s journal entries remind me of those
written by a lovesick teenager. Well,
technically she is a teenager (only eighteen).
Annie’s sponge cakes are mentioned frequently throughout the book. I wondered if she could cook or bake anything
else (it did not seem like it). I give
Annie’s Recipe 3 out of 5 stars. It is a
sweet book with a good lesson about having faith and believing in God (just not
my type of Amish novel). We are provided
updates on the characters from the first book.
I like the character of Old Sam Beachy.
He crafts beautiful chests with custom designs on the tops (I would love
one). I just wanted a little more in
Annie’s Recipe. It seemed like the same
details were discussed over and over throughout the story. Levi and Annie love each other, but sometimes love is not enough (especially when one person refuses to compromise). Annie's Recipe will be out on Tuesday, February 28. The first book in Hope Chest of Dreams series is Rebecca's Bouquet. The next book in the series is Rachel's Dream (out in late April).

Thank you for reading my latest book evaluation. I need to run an errand and then pick up leaves outside. The latest rain storm dumped another big load of leaves on our yard. I hope all of you have a very special day. Take care and Happy Reading!

The Golden Hour is a new novel by
T. Greenwood. Wyn Davies is a struggling
artist is in her early thirties and lives in Queens, New York. Wyn lives in one half of a duplex while her
husband, Gus lives on the other side.
The pair split recently over a silly disagreement. Their daughter, Avery lives with Wyn during
the week and Gus on the weekends. Wyn is
an artist who has been busy making commissioned birch tree paintings that go with
her client’s rooms. Gus feels that Wyn has
sold out (at least she is earning money).
Wyn finds out that Robby Rousseau might get a new trial. The Innocence Project has gotten involved in
Robby’s case and they are testing the DNA from the case. The DNA was never
tested because they had a confession. Wyn has never told anyone the truth about
what happened that day twenty years ago in Haven, New Hampshire. When she receives a threatening phone call,
it spurs Wyn to flee. She takes her
friend, Pilar up on her offer to spend the winter in her home on Bluffs Island
in Maine. Avery and Wyn head up to
Bluffs Island. It can only be reached by
ferry and there is no Wi-Fi service. It
sounds perfect to Wyn. In the basement,
Wyn discovers a box labeled “Epitaphs and Prophecies”. The box is full of undeveloped film rolls.
The rolls are labeled with dates starting with 07/12/76. Wyn is intrigued and sends off two rolls to
get developed (a friend develops the rest later). The film belonged to the former owner who
disappeared thirty-five years ago. The
pictures are unusual and Wyn gets a glimpse of her life. Wyn wants to find out more about this woman
and starts seeking answers. Will the
answers Wyn seeks help her with her own life?
What happened to Wyn twenty years ago?

The Golden Hour is an odd
novel. It sounded like a good
mystery/suspense novel, but the execution was severely lacking. Wyn is a hard character to like. I know she suffered a horrible trauma, and I
believe she could benefit from therapy. Her
character reminds me of a person who might have a mental health problem. Wyn smokes pot (more than once when children
are nearby), drinks, has trouble communicating (especially with her husband), pushes
everyone away, prefers to flee than deal with life, jealous of her best friend’s
success and lacks some common sense. Wyn
goes to a house that has been deserted for thirty-five years with her four-year-old
daughter (would you take a child to this house). I would make sure to arrive in daylight so I
can what needs to be done. I am sure
that the house would be dilapidated and filthy.
Wyn has no idea how to turn light a pilot light for the heat and imagines
there is a master switch (not on a system that old). She does not bring in the clothes from the car
before falling asleep (guess what they need in the middle of the night). Wyn also fails to bring needed cleaning
supplies (despite being told about the lack of shops and supplies in the “town”). Wyn seems more concerned about her needs than
those of her daughter. In a way, I wish
the author had not included a child in the story. I found some inconsistencies regarding the legal
case. A thirteen-year-old boy confessed
to the crime and then goes to trial. He
gets a lengthy sentence and is still in jail twenty years later. Normally, if the perpetrator confesses, there
is no trial. It would go to sentencing. Also, why would a juvenile still be in jail
after the age of 18 (or at the latest 21).
I am curious how he was convicted if Wyn did not testify and the DNA
evidence was never tested. The incident that happened to Wyn is slowly revealed
over the course of the novel. Most
readers will be able to figure it out long before all the information is
revealed. I give The Golden Hour 2 out
of 5 stars (I did not enjoy it). I found
the pace to be slow (good if you wish to go to sleep) and the pictures
described are unusual (downright strange and inappropriate). I thought the novel to be dark and the ending
disappointing. What happened regarding
the prior owner is very upsetting and disturbing. I was just not drawn into this book. I kept hoping it would get better, but it did
not. The Golden Hour was not the right
novel for me. The Golden Hour will be out on Tuesday, February 28.

Banana Cream Pie Murder by Joanne
Fluke is the twenty-first book in A Hannah Swensen Mystery series. Hannah Swensen is enjoying a honeymoon cruise
with her new husband, Ross Barton. It is
the last night of the voyage when they receive a message from Delores Swensen,
Hannah’s mother. Delores found the body
of her downstairs neighbor, Victoria “Tori” Bascomb and she wants Hannah to
return home right away (to investigate).
Tori Bascomb is the sister of Lake Eden’s mayor, Richard Bascomb. Tori was a retired actress who settled in
Lake Eden and provides private acting lessons.
Tori also directs the Lake Eden Players and teaches drama at Jordan High
School. Hannah and Ross return home the
next day and find the whole family waiting for them at Hannah’s condo. As a wedding gift, Hannah’s condo has been
completely redecorated (except the kitchen for which Hannah is very
grateful). The following day Hannah is
ready to get updated on the case and to start sleuthing. Tori was not a well-liked woman which leads
to a long suspect list. Hannah is busy
questioning suspects and looking into Tori’s movements on the day of her
death. Hannah also has to adjust to
having a husband. Hannah is used to
making her own decisions, but now she must consider Ross (and consult
him). When Hannah gets a little too
close, the killer strikes back. Join
Hannah along with her family and friends in her latest adventure in Banana Cream Pie Murder.

I thought that Banana Cream Pie Murder had a good pace which makes it an easy and quick novel to read. Hannah is not her usual confident,
independent self in this book. Hannah is
used to making her own decisions and living independently. She now has another person to consider. Hannah and Ross rushed into marriage and they
never discussed what happens after they are married (like does Ross want
children or does he mind Michelle staying in the guest room). Mike and Norman
know more about Hannah than Ross (like how Hannah dislikes sweeping). I did not feel any chemistry between Ross and
Hannah. I did not like how Hannah is
portrayed as technologically incompetent.
She cannot figure out how to use her phone (change ringer, get her
messages, etc.). Another un-Hannah
moment is when Hannah is shopping for pale for a beer muffin recipe. Hannah has never purchased lager previously. I would expect Hannah to figure it out on her
own (that she just needs to look at the labels) or ask someone in the
store. Instead, she is blindly picking
out different beers. Hannah has never been helpless or a dimwit. Hannah does little cooking or baking in
Banana Cream Pie Murder. Michelle,
Hannah’s sister, is in town and has taken over breakfast (and the majority of
the baking in this book). Michelle is
the more self-possessed sister in this story (especially since Andrea is MIA). I give Banana Cream Pie Murder 3 out of 5
stars (I am being a little generous with the rating). Banana Cream Pie Murder was more cozy than
mystery. Every chapter revolved around the
baking, making, or eating of food with recipes at the end of the chapter (which
interrupts the flow). There are
twenty-one recipes in Banana Cream Pie Murder.
The murder investigation does not ramp up until a reader is about 70% of
the way through the novel. That is when
the author starts introducing the suspects.
It does not take much brain power to identify the guilty party. I kept hoping for a nice twist that would pin
the murder on the mayor’s wife (this is not a spoiler). One thing that really bugged me was Ross
calling Hannah--Cookie. I do not believe
that Ross ever called Hannah by her given name.
It is cute that he gave her a nickname in college, but does he have to
use it all the time. I can see using it
when they are alone, but not out in public (I found it annoying). Banana Cream Pie Murder seemed to be written
by someone other than Joanne Fluke.
Banana Cream Pie Murder is nothing like the earlier books in the series. I did not appreciate the cliffhanger ending. I am hoping that the person involved
(spoiler) will get bumped off (a girl can dream). Because of the cliffhanger, I will be reading
the next book in A Hannah Swensen Mystery series. If you have not read any of the books in this series, I do not recommend starting with Banana Cream Pie Murder. I suggest you read the earlier books in the series (which I really enjoyed).

I appreciate you taking the time to read my lengthy review (I got on a little bit of a rant). May each of you have an enjoyable Friday. Take care and Happy Reading!

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Welcome! Since it was raining yesterday, I have to go out and run errands today. I am not allowed to drive in the rain. My father always said that he would prefer that the car and I arrive home in one piece and that is better accomplished when the roads are not slick. It was his way of stating I do not drive well in wet weather (which is true).

Murder on Location by Cathy Pegau
is the third book in A Charlotte Brody Mystery series. Charlotte Brody is out on a cold day in
mid-march to watch the arrival of the film crew and actors from California to
Cordova. Charlotte’s boss, Andrew
Tolliver assigned her to cover the event.
They are going to be in the area for two weeks for the filming of North
to Fortune and Charlotte will be reporting all of it for Cordova Daily Times. It seems, though, that not everyone is happy
with their arrival. The Alaskan Natives
are not happy with how they are being portrayed in the film and the members of
the Alaska Eyak Council are out in protest.
Wallace Meade, the producer, agrees to hire locals to act in the
film. One of the citizens chosen is
Becca Derenov, Charlotte’s ward.
Charlotte and Becca pack up and head out with the crew to Childs Glacier
for location filming. The next morning
everyone is waiting for Stanley Welsh, the director, to show up. When he is not located within the camp, the
group fans out to search for him. Welsh
is found down in a crevasse. It is
assumed that the medicine he takes made him disoriented and he fell into the
crevasse during the night. Charlotte is
not sure the solution is so straightforward.
She sends Becca to town for Deputy James Eddington (also her beau) and Charlotte’s
brother, Dr. Michael Brody (who acts as coroner). After the group returns to town, the crews
rooms are ransacked and a threatening note left behind. It turns out that this
is not the first incident this cast and crew has experienced. Charlotte is determined to get answers before
the cast and crew returns to California--and the killer with them.

I thought Murder on Location was
nicely written and it had a good flow or pace.
It is a little slow in the beginning, but picks up pace after the murder
occurs. This is the third installment in
the series, but Murder on Location can be read alone. There is some information about Charlotte’s
past that is not completely explained in this edition (why she is afraid to be
intimate with James Eddington). Unlike
other cozy mysteries, Murder on Location contains foul language (mild words)
and intimate situations. There is even a
discussion between Charlotte and the local madam on how to prevent pregnancy. I
give Murder on Location 3 out of 5 stars. I felt that the characters lacked depth. The author did not provide details on the characters
added in this story. We just get the
basics on them (like they are actors from California). The mystery was not complicated
(unfortunately). It was obvious which
character would be bumped off. I want a
complicated, twisty mystery that will mystify me. I do not wish to be able to identify the
killer before I am halfway through the book.
There is a little extra something at the end that might surprise some
readers. Avid mystery fans will figure
it out before the reveal (especially if you have read Agatha Christie’s
books). There is, of course, the
requisite romance in the novel between Charlotte and James Eddington. Charlotte has to decide if she wants to take
their relationship to the next level. I
would have preferred if the author had let the romance play out a little longer
in a more traditional manner. I would
have liked to see James and Charlotte go out on dates and get to know each other
(and then maybe get married) slowly throughout the series. I think it would have fit better with the
time period. I was never drawn into
Murder on Location. It is a nice book to
read, but I was not fully engaged in it.
It is the type of book I can read while watching a television show. The first two books in A Charlotte Brody Mystery series are Murder on the Last Frontier and Borrowing Death. Murder on Location will be out on Tuesday, February 28.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Greetings! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day. It is raining in my area today. It gives me an opportunity to catch up on my computer work and reading!

Fatality by Firelight by Lynn Cahoon is the second book in A Cat Latimer Mystery series. Cat Latimer is welcoming a new group of writers to her second writer's retreat in Aspen Hills, Colorado. After inheriting the beautiful Victorian from her ex-husband, Michael, Cat turned the home into the Warm Springs Writers Retreat. On the first full day of the retreat Cat and her boyfriend, Seth (also the handyman) take the writers up the mountain for a day of skiing. After enjoying the slopes, Cat and Seth enter the lodge to find the writers enjoying the bar. Christine, one of her guests, is in a clench on the sofa with local, Tommy Neil. It will not go well for Tommy when his fiance, Brit finds out. Upon arriving back home, Cat tries to warn Christine about Tommy. Christine, though, does not wish to listen. She feels he is the one. The next day the group goes to the local library. When they are finished, Christine takes off with Tommy. Cat is woken in the middle of the night by the arrival of her Uncle Pete, Chief of Police. Tommy was found murdered in his room at the ski resort. The last person seen with Tommy was Christine. Christine is not in her room, but she soon stumbles into the house. She is cold, crying, and has blood on her shirt. Christine insists that Tommy was alive when she left him. Cat does not see Christine as a killer and starts asking questions around town. In addition to the murder, Uncle Pete is busy investigating the theft of a rare Hemingway book from the library (and the librarian is really pushing Pete to find the culprit and the book). Cat thought that writer's retreats would be quiet and leave her plenty of time to write. Cat is in for a surprising week in Fatality by Firelight.

I thought that Fatality by Firelight was better than A Story to Kill (the first book in the series). I found the story easy to read, nicely written, and it has a beautiful setting (I would like to visit). The book has far more has far more going on in it that I summarized above. The romance between Seth and Cat is prominent in the book (just my personal opinion). Cat is not ready for a relationship with Seth. She has yet to resolve her feeling for her ex-husband, Michael. Cat needs to find out what really happened to Michael and why he pushed her away before she moves on with Seth. The storyline regarding Michael started in A Story to Kill and continues in Fatality by Firelight. The storyline of Michael shares the spotlight with the murder of Tommy Neil. I hope the author wraps up this particular storyline soon. I think it needs its own book (book three perhaps). I am curious, though, to see how the mob ties in with Michael's demise. I give Fatality by Firelight 3.5 out of 5 stars. I wish the mystery of Tommy Neil's death had been more challenging. I could identify the culprit early in the book (might as well have been a neon sign hanging over the killer's head). I am having a little trouble liking Cat. She is not happy with how much time she has to spend interacting with her retreat guests. Cat did not realize how much time she would have to spend socializing and helping her guests. Cat seems to have formed the idea that guests would spend their time locked in their rooms writing or researching at the library (and Cat would spend her time writing in her attic office). It seems that Cat did not fully think out the idea of her retreats. I am a fan of Shauna. She is more than a housekeeper and cook. Fatality by Firelight is best read after reading A Story to Kill. I will be reading the next book in A Cat Latimer Mystery series. I am curious to see what happened to Michael and what role Dante Cornelio (a handsome mob guy) will play in the next book. Fatality by Firelight releases on Tuesday, February 28.

I appreciate your visiting. I am currently reading The Golden Hour by T. Greenwood (slow starter). I will see you next time when I return to review another new novel. Take care and Happy Reading!

Monday, February 20, 2017

Happy President's Day! I spent the day doing chores around the house. There are always chores to do when you have a home. Today I was dusting and sweeping. I also baked cookies for my mother. She loves her chocolate chip cookies. Do you have a favorite cookie or fresh baked treat?

Twelve Angry Librarians by
Miranda James is the eighth A Cat in the Stacks Mystery novel. Charlie Harris in is the interim library
director at Athena College in Athena, Mississippi. Charlie must prepare a short speech to
welcome the librarians to the Southern Academic Library Association Annual
Conference. Charlie is shocked when he finds out that the keynote speaker is Gavin
Fong. Charlie went to graduate school
with Gavin over twenty-five years ago.
There was an altercation between the two men after Gavin hit on Jackie,
Charlie’s wife. After the opening speeches,
the guests are mingling when Gavin approaches Charlie. Gavin has not changed one bit since
college. He is still arrogant, condescending,
and difficult. When Gavin tries to hit Charlie (three times), Charlie is forced
to defend himself. This is not a good
start to the conference. The next day
Gavin is giving his upsetting keynote speech.
After taking a drink of water, Gavin starts to choke and clutch at his
throat while gasping for air. Gavin dies
in front of the audience. Chief Deputy
Kenesha Berry quickly arrives at the Farrington House (where the conference is
being held). Kenesha has an unusual
problem with this victim. Usually, she
lacks for suspects. This time there are
too many people who disliked Gavin (and would not mind seeing him dead). Charlie is a prime suspect after his
altercation with Gavin the day before. Charlie
wants to find the real killer before the conference ends and the killer gets
away (or he ends up head librarian at the local prison). Things take a turn for the worse when another
librarian is found dead in her hotel room with a water bottle nearby. Charlie has some personal matters that are
diverting his attention. Charlie is in
for a challenging weekend in Twelve Angry Librarians.

I found Twelve Angry Librarians
to be my favorite book in A Cat in the Stacks Mystery series. It is well-written and pleasurable to read. I also found it to have a good pace which
makes it easy to read. Twelve Angry Librarians may be the eighth book in the series, but a reader can enjoy it as a
stand-alone. Miranda James provides all
the information a reader needs. Twelve Angry Librarians contains relatable characters that readers will love. Diesel, the Maine Coon Cat, is especially
enjoyable (with his little chirps and trills). I give Twelve Angry Librarians 5 out of 5
stars. I especially appreciated the
well-crafted mystery in Twelve Angry Librarians. It was puzzling (in a wonderful way). I do
not believe that many people will be able to figure out the whole
solution. I wish more authors would
create out-of-box murder mysteries that are complex and difficult for the
reader to crack. Twelve Angry Librarians
has good characters, a little romance, family situations, and a perplexing
mystery. All these qualities make for a
delightful cozy mystery. I hope you let
Miranda James transport you to Charlie and Diesel’s world in Twelve Angry Librarians. Twelve Angry Librarians will be out on Tuesday, February 21.

I appreciate you stopping by to read my latest book critique. I am off to my monthly book club chat on The Book Club Network, Inc. I sincerely hope all of you have a very nice night. Take care and Happy Reading!

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Welcome. I sincerely hope you are having a good Sunday. I worked on cleaning my bedroom closet. I have not ventured into it since I moved into this room a little over a year ago (it is packed full of stuff)! So far I have discovered Christmas lights, a Build-a-Bear Cow (not mine), books (some of them are mine), a tool box, Buckopoly, and many items belonging to my mother. Who knows what is lurking in the hidden depths!

Whale of a Crime by Karen MacInerney is the seventh book in The Gray Whale Inn Mysteries. Natalie Barnes’ Gray Whale Inn on Cranberry
Island, Maine is stuffed to the gills with guests from Northern Spirit
Tours. The group gets to whale watch on
the Summer Breeze. Though Natalie does
have her hands full, she manages to take a few hours to enjoy the
experience. Things get tense when
Captain Bainbridge gets too close to the whales (breaking the law) and gets
into an argument with naturalist, Alex van der Berg. The next day the group is ready to depart on
the schooner for the day, but Carl Bainbridge has yet to arrive. First mate Martina Garza takes charge of the
party and weighs anchor. There is a
little hitch when the anchor comes out of the water with Captain Bainbridge
attached to it. The top suspect is Alex who
happens to be dating Charlene, Natalie’s best friend. Charlene is upset and needs Natalie to sail
Alex off the police’s radar. Natalie and
John (her husband) have some problems of their own. Bridget, Natalie’s sister, shows up after
hearing about her daughter’s (Gwen) engagement to local lobsterman, Adam. Bridget is determined to return home with
Gwen in tow. The night before the death
of Captain Bainbridge, Natalie discovered a six week old kitten on their
porch. Natalie is in the laundry room
with the sweet, little baby when she feels water falling on her. It is raining
indoors. Natalie rushes upstairs to find
a guest bathtub overflowing (the wood floors in the bedroom are ruined). This incident is just the first for the Gray
Whale Inn. Natalie’s livelihood is in
jeopardy. Things cannot get any worse,
or can they? Natalie is in for a rocky
ride in Whale of a Crime.

I appreciate you taking time out of your day to visit my blog. I am currently reading Banana Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke. I am going to go enjoy my dinner and then watch Mercy Street, Victoria and When Calls the Heart. May each of you have a relaxing evening. Take care and Happy Reading!

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Salutations! It has been a rainy day in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. A perfect day to get some work done in the house and to read. I spent some time trying to figure out drill bits. I was rehanging a shelf with toggle bolts. The package directions stated to use a 9/16" drill bit. Upon inspection of my father's numerous drill bits, I did not find one that was 9/16". So I kept trying different bits until I achieved a big enough hole! The trial and error method--worked for me. I discovered a drill bit guide in his shop later in the afternoon, and there is no mention of a 9/16" bit. I think there is something wrong with the package directions (unless they invented a new bit size recently)!

Death by Chocolate Lab by Bethany Blake is the first book in A Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series. Daphne Templeton lives in Sylvan Creek,
Pennsylvania with her sister, Piper (their mother, Maeve lives in the town as
well). While Daphne has a PhD in philosophy,
she runs Daphne Templeton’s Lucky Paws Pet Sitting (now many job opportunities
for someone with a degree in philosophy).
Her sister, Piper owns Winding Hill Farm (and is the local veterinarian)
and is hosting a dog agility trial competition the next day. Late that night, various vendors show up to
set up their tents. Steve Beamus, owner
of Blue Ribbon K-9 Academy arrives to set up the course. Steve is not well-liked because of his
condescending, superior attitude and womanizing ways. The next morning, Daphne is out early with her
dog, Socrates and her foster dog, Arnie (a little Chihuahua with an overeager
personality and an unfortunate overbite).
Arnie enters the course and dives in a red tunnel. When he does not exit, Daphne crawls in to
get him. She gets a shock when she
discovers the body of Steve Beamus. The
new to town Detective Jonathan Black is in charge of the case and happens to
hear a private conversation between Daphne and Piper that puts Piper at the top
of the suspect list. Daphne is
determined to prove her sister’s innocence to the detective. There is no shortage of suspects for the
murder of such an unlikeable victim.
Daphne, with the help of her canine sidekicks, starts questioning her
list of suspects. When Daphne is out
late one night for a clandestine meeting, she discovers the body of Virginia
Lockhart in the park. Virginia must have
stumbled upon the killer and paid the ultimate price. Daphne will need to up her game if she is to
find the killer before he strikes again (and she stumbles across another body)!

I found Death by Chocolate Lab to
be easy to read. I like the various dogs
included in the story (can you tell I am trying to list the positive attributes
first) and there are some good recipes for dog treats included at the end of
the book (I will have to try them out). I
enjoyed the mystery that Bethany Blake created in Death by Chocolate Lab. I do not think that many readers will guess
the identity of the murderer. You will
need to utilize deductive reasoning to identify the perpetrator (really think
about all the people in the book). I
give Death by Chocolate Lab 3 out of 5 stars.
I thought that Daphne was too quirky (nicest word I can use). Daphne has a PhD in philosophy (she is also a
vegetarian). It takes intelligence and
time to get a doctorate degree. But the
author then made her out to be a babbling idiot who cannot remember to keep gas
in her car. Daphne has not managed to get
her life together and lives with her sister who likes to remind her of this
frequently (that she does not pay rent).
She drives a 1960s era VW bus that breaks down as frequently as it runs
out of gas (she puts in $5 and then drives 10 plus miles and is shocked there
is no gas). The car has the worst
paint job on the planet. It is supposed
to depict a dog (for her business), but it looks like a horse (of course). I wish the author would have let Daphne be an
intelligent, confident woman. It would
have made for a more appealing story. Then
there is the situation with Jonathan Black.
It seems he is very handsome and Daphne cannot help but notice him. A reader is subjected to the many fine
attributes of Detective Black several times throughout the novel (every single
time Daphne and Black encounter each other).
I like a little romance in cozy mysteries, but I do not feel the reader
needs to be hit over-the-head with it (and we do not need the main character to
be drooling over him). Detective Black is not the only hunky man in the book
(there are two others). While Death by Chocolate Lab is not the right book for me, I believe others will enjoy the
humor. The next book in the series is
Dial Meow for Murder (releases September 26). Death by Chocolate Lab releases on February 28.

I hope each of you has a lovely evening. I am going to enjoy my dinner and watch Ransom. I will see you when I return to review another novel. Take care and Happy Reading!

Friday, February 17, 2017

Happy Friday! I hope all of you have had an enjoyable day. I spent the day doing some chores around the house. I am starting to feel a little better (thank goodness). Do you have any special plans for your weekend? I have plans for relaxing and more housework (the two will have to find a way to mix).

A Death in the Dales by is the
seventh book in A Kate Shackleton Mystery series. Kate Shackleton is taking her niece, Harriet
on holiday to recover from her bout of diphtheria. They are going to stay in Lilac Cottage owned
by Dr. Lucian Simonson, Kate’s beau. He
inherited the cottage six months prior when his Aunt Freda. Kate is hoping for a relaxing fortnight in
Langcliffe, but the fates are not with her.
Kate and Harriet have barely arrived when Mr. Bradley Wigglesworth
arrives. Wigglesworth had been a friend
of Freda’s, and she had entrusted a box of papers with him before her
death. Freda had witnessed the murder of
Rufus Holroyd in 1916, but her testimony was discounted. The case haunted Freda for the past ten
years, because she knew the wrong man was convicted and hanged for the crime. Kate feels compelled to look through the
papers and the case peaks her interest.
Harriet meets Beth Young in the village.
Beth is worried about her brother, Martin. After the death of their mother, the two siblings
were brought to town and put to work.
Martin is working at Raistrick Farm.
Martin was supposed to show up for the May Day festivities and he never
arrived. When he fails to show up soon
thereafter, Kate agrees to drive out to the farm to inquire about the young
boy. Unfortunately, Kate’s profession
as a detective has gotten out in the village and soon she is approached by Mrs.
Victoria Trevelyan about a delicate situation.
Someone is trying to blackmail Mrs. Trevelyan about letter she wrote to
a past lover. Mrs. Trevelyan would like
Kate to obtain the letters. It is not
turning out to be much of a holiday for Kate.
Harriet, though, is thrilled. She
is fascinated by her aunt’s business and believes it might be the right
profession for her. Harriet wishes to
act as Kate’s assistant. Langcliffe may be a small village, but it is rife with
secrets. This trip is also about Lucian
and Kate making decisions about their future.
It does not look promising when Lucian objects to Kate’s exploring the
murder of Rufus Holroyd. This holiday is
not turning out the way Kate expected.

A Death in the Dales was easy to
read and well-written. I have not read
the previous books in A Kate Shackleton Mystery series, but it was not a deterrent.
The author provided all the information a reader needs to enjoy this
novel. I liked the main character, Kate
Shackleton. She is a smart, strong woman
(thank heavens) and a good example to her niece, Harriet. I liked Harriet as well. I hope the author includes her in future
books. I believe A Death in the Dales is
the type of book you want to curl up with in a cozy chair on a rainy afternoon
(and do not forget to have your favorite beverage and snack nearby). The author did a superb job at capturing the
time and place. You can tell that
Frances Brody did her research. I give A Death in the Dales 4 out of 5 stars.
There is a lot going on in this book, but I was able to keep track of
the various storylines and their characters.
There are a couple of slow spots, but they did not bother me. The romance portion of the book seemed
off. I did not feel any love or passion
between Kate and Lucian. It felt like the
writer seemed there should be a romance in the book and, therefore, included
one. Kate and Lucian did not seem
compatible, and I could not see Kate becoming a doctor’s wife (especially since
she has no clue about shopping, cooking, and village politics). The murder mystery was entertaining and I
liked the puzzle. I was able to figure
out the killer before the reveal (you know I love solving the mystery). I believe most readers will be
surprised. I am definitely going to read
the other books in A Kate Shackleton Mystery series.

Thank you for your visit. I am currently reading Fatality by Firelight by Lynn Cahoon. I am going to watch Grimm, MacGyver, and Sleepy Hollow while enjoying Chinese. When I am sick, Chinese food is the only thing that tastes good to me. May each of you have a special evening. Take care and Happy Reading!

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Welcome! I am starting to feel better and not a minute too soon. The dogs and cats ran out of wet food, and I needed to run to the store. My cats get very vocal if they are not fed on time (one of them can be heard on the opposite side of the house)! My oldest dog, Wolfie, follows me around and stares at me until her dinner appears. Animals can be extremely entertaining (and sometimes a wee bit aggravating)!

The Green Mill Murder by Kerry
Greenwood is the fifth book in The Phryne Fisher Mystery series. Phryne Fisher is out dancing the Green Mill
with Charles Freeman. A forty-eight-hour
dancing marathon is winding down with just two couples left on the floor. Phryne is enjoying the music of Tintagel
Stone and the Jazz Makers (they are without their singer, Nerine, though). Phryne is dancing with Charles to “Bye Bye
Blackbird” when a man collapses on the floor behind her. The man did not fall down from exhaustion. He
appears to have been stabbed in the chest.
The police are called and soon Detective Jack Robinson arrives on the
scene. He is, of course, not surprised
to see Phryne on hand. Phryne hangs out
with the band while waiting her turn to be questioned (and manages to ask some
probing questions of her own). Charles
who was quite squeamish at the sight of a body, bolted off towards the gent’s
room. When it is finally time for Phryne
to leave the dance club, Charles has failed to return. Charles has disappeared which does not bode
well especially for Phryne who will have to explain to Charles’ overanxious
mother. Charles fails to return home to his mother by the next morning, and
Phryne is hired to locate him. After
some investigation, Phryne discovers that the older Freeman son, Victor is not
dead. Mrs. Freeman now wishes Phryne to
locate both of her sons. Phryne will
take to the skies in her Gypsy Moth Rigel to get the answers Mrs. Freeman
seeks. Join Phryne on her latest
adventure in The Green Mill Murder.

The Green Mill Murder is
well-written, has a wonderful (and engaging) main character, and a beautiful
setting. I appreciate and enjoy the
other characters as well (Mr. Butler, Dot, Bert, Cec and especially Jack). I loved the complex mysteries and the unique
method of murder (the writer came up with a good one this time). There was more than one case for Phryne to
solve in this novel. She ends up having
to find an errant husband and help the dance competition winners get their prize. I give The Green Mill Murder 4.25 out of 5
stars (I liked it). The Green Mill Murder has blackmail, murder, a romantic liaison, two missing people (well,
technically one is hiding), a jazz band, and a high-flying adventure. The readers are also provided descriptions of
Phryne’s gorgeous clothes and the scenery she views from her airplane. I loved the addition of the fun-loving wombat
who loves potatoes (thankfully). I look
forward to reading the next book in The Phryne Fisher Murder Mysteries.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Greetings! I hope all of you had a wonderful Valentine's Day. I have been under the weather today so I took it easy. My mother always knows when I am really sick, because I do not read. It is the only time you will find me without a book in my hand or nearby.

Always is the latest novel by
Sarah Jio. Kailey Crain is a journalist with
the Herald in Seattle, Washington in 2008.
Kailey and her fiancé, Ryan are leaving a restaurant when she spots a
homeless man outside. Kailey walks over
to give him her leftovers, and discovers it is Cade McAllister. Cade and Kailey were very much in love and
she had just discovered she was pregnant when he disappeared. Kailey has not heard from him since early
August of 1998. Cade had co-owned
Element Records with his best friend, James.
Cade’s Aunt Fay had lent them the money to start the company. But, the business relationship between Cade
and James started to deteriorate rapidly when James wanted to take the company
in a different direction. Kailey is
shocked to find Cade in such a state.
She slowly wins his trust and gets him to a doctor. It turns out that Cade suffered a TBI
(traumatic brain injury) which has left him in a state of confusion (has Swiss
cheese memory). The doctor recommends a
new program for Cade that will help him recover and get back the skills he has
lost. Over time, he might regain his
memory. Cade re-entering her life
creates a dilemma for Kailey. She
thought she had moved on from Cade, but seeing him has brought all the feelings
back to the surface. Kailey, though, is
also in love with Ryan. Kailey needs to
make a choice. Which man has captured
Kailey’s heart?

I look forward to Sarah Jio’s new
book every year. But I did find Always
to be a disappointment. I found Always
to be a cliché romance novel. It is
nicely written and had a good pace (for the most part). The story is somewhat intriguing (especially
in the beginning), but then it turns into a predictable romance novel. There are some interesting music references
in the book based on Cade’s love of music.
I did find the characters to be a little flat (one-dimensional). I give Always 3 out of 5 stars (there are
readers who will enjoy it). It is easy
to figure out what happened to Cade in 1998.
I was a little disappointed that Ms. Jio finishes the book with
unanswered questions. The reader never
finds out how Cade survived the ten years on the street especially with his
injuries. There are areas that will have
you shouting at Kailey. Cade just enters
the program and Kailey is the only person he knows. He counts on her to visit him. But, Kailey goes on a vacation to Cabo with
Ryan. Is this the best time for a
romantic trip to Mexico? Does she really
think Cade will handle not seeing her? Another
moment that was odd (and had me shaking my head with disbelief) is when Kailey finally
tracks down Cade (not the first night she sees him outside the
restaurant). Instead of taking him
somewhere to get immediate assistance, she takes off to visit James. If you had been hunting for this man, would
you just leave him again? Kailey had no
idea if she would be able to locate him once again. I wish less time had been devoted to Kailey
thinking about Cade (how he looked, his charm, etc.). It reminded me of the Harlequin romance
novels I read as a teenager. Always was
not up to Sarah Jio’s normal standards (like The Violets of March or Blackberry Winter). I will, of course, order Ms.
Jio’s next book. Always could have been
an off novel for her.

I appreciate you visiting and reading my latest review. I will be back tomorrow to review The Green Mill Murder by Kerry Greenwood. May each of you have an enchanting evening (I am heading back to my bed). Take care and Happy Reading!

Review Policy

If you would like me to read and review your book, please contact me at Doodlesink@hotmail.com. I enjoy mysteries, paranormal, Christian fiction, and contemporary books. My reviews will be honest and are not influenced by receiving a book for free.